Micro-needling: The secret to younger-looking skin

Micro-needling from Apex Dermatology is ideal for both men and women in their 20s up to 80-year-olds who want smoother skin and a healthy, rejuvenated look without surgery. Pictured above is Advanced Medical Aesthetician, Andrea Fenda, demonstrating the process. (Photography by Benjamin Margalit/Margalit Studio)

By Laura Briedis

The latest technology in skin rejuvenation is actually based on two simple things: needles and nature. Using a cluster of nine small needles, micro-needling makes tiny perforations in the skin that kicks it into healing mode to produce more collagen and elastin, naturally.

“We have added this skin rejuvenation treatment to our services at Apex Dermatology so we can offer our patients a fraction-of-the-price, skin-rejuvenation alternative to surgery,” says Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, who did his dermatologic surgery and aesthetic dermatology fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

“It is effective for fighting the signs of aging and is ideal for acne scars, brown spots and stretch marks.”

Prior to the micro-needling, an aesthetician applies a growth factor serum on the skin to enhance the skin’s natural process of regeneration, promoting collagen production, supporting healthy circulation and encouraging cellular renewal.

“Don’t let the needles intimidate you,” says Andrea Fenda, an advanced medical aesthetician who is well versed in micro-needling. “It is actually a relaxing treatment during which the aesthetician gently glides an electric needling device across the skin.”

Micro-needling works for all skin types and ethnicities and can be used for both preventing wrinkles and diminishing them. For people who are interested in softening fine lines, they will see improvements in just one treatment. If you have deep wrinkles and acne scars, a series of treatments is recommended.

“This treatment is ideal for both men and women in their 20s up to 80-year-olds who want smoother skin with a healthy, rejuvenated look,” says Andrea.

“The biggest benefit of micro-needling is that patients can see improvement within days with the least amount of downtime,” adds Andrea, who also specializes in dermaplaning, chemical peels and body contouring.

“For the full effect it takes about a month, as skin naturally takes approximately four weeks to synthesize new collagen.”

This results-driven treatment is ideal for those with large pores. Micro-needling stimulates collagen in and around each pore, causing them to plump and appeared closed.

“All of my patients are concerned about their pores,” comments Andrea. “Anything we can do to strengthen the skin will give the appearance of smaller pores. Pore size is genetic, so we cannot permanently alter them. However, micro-needling will improve the appearance of pores.”

Micro-needling also works especially well for scars, as the pins penetrate the skin and release the tethered area that pulls skin down causing the indentations.

While a standard treatment includes the face, neck and décolletage, Apex’s micro-needling can also be done on other areas of the body, including the abdomen, back, hands, arms and legs.

In addition to this new treatment and other aesthetic services offered at Apex Dermatology, the innovative skin care center provides skin cancer screenings and specializes in medical and surgical dermatology.

Apex Dermatology has five locations to serve the Greater Cleveland/Akron areas: